Book Review
A short overview of this book
Helmets and Hoses: Circumcised and Uncircumcised: Differences and Similarities by Tricia LaVoice and illustrated by Olivia Milton is a great book for explaining the differences between intact (or uncircumcised) and circumcised penises. In fact, it is the only book that I know of that focuses on this topic.
Books like this are important because they provide parents with a valuable resource for answering questions about why some penises may look different to others. I appreciate that the book is positive and shame-free, and that it normalises both types of penises. This means that regardless of whether your child’s penis is intact or not, they will walk away feeling comfortable with what they have.
What I don’t like about this book is that it doesn’t include illustrations of penises. So if you are looking for a book that will teach your child about penises, then this is the wrong book for you. But if you’re struggling to talk about why your child’s penis looks different, then this book is perfect!
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 9 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Helmets and Hoses: Circumcised and Uncircumcised; Differences and Similarities by Tricia LaVoice from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. On my YouTube channel, I love doing book reviews because books are such a wonderful way to start conversations with kids about sex. And let me tell you, I am super excited about this book I found!
It’s called Helmets and Hoses, and it’s all about the differences and similarities between circumcised and uncircumcised penises. The author, Tricia LaVoice, did an amazing job of normalizing penises, no matter what type they are.
What I really love about this book is that it helps kids understand that there are different types of penises, and that’s totally okay. Tricia was kind enough to send me a copy, and let me tell you, my bookshelves are overflowing with all the books I’ve bought for this channel!
The story is about two boys who are out playing and end up getting all wet in the rain. So they come inside to dry off. While they’re laughing and pointing at each other’s noses and toes, they notice that their penises look different. They even run to the mirror to get a closer look!
Then, their mom comes in, and they ask her why their penises look different. She explains that one of them is circumcised and the other isn’t. She mentions that circumcision is when the skin from the tip of a baby boy’s penis is removed. And guess what? It can happen to adults too!
The book addresses the fear of it hurting, but reassures kids that it’s done gently. One of the boys even says that his penis looks like a fire hose, which helps put out fires and save people. The other boy compares his penis to an army helmet, which keeps soldiers’ heads safe in battle. The book does a great job of normalizing both types of penises and showing that they are equal and not lesser in any way.
The book also talks about different reasons why some kids are circumcised, without judging those reasons. And the boys continue to compare their penises, with one saying his looks like a tortoise shell and the other saying his looks like an elephant trunk. They talk about how strong and amazing their penises are. And guess what? They both work the same way, even if they look a little different.
In the end, they go off to have a hot chocolate and get dressed after playing in the sun. This book is just fantastic because it includes both circumcised and intact penises. It explains everything in a normal, matter-of-fact way that helps kids feel comfortable and accepted. They won’t walk away feeling shamed, inadequate, or different. That’s why I absolutely love this book and will be promoting it.
I hope this review helps you choose the right book for your needs. Happy reading!
